The Aphelion Chat Room

[Lester Curtis]

I know what you mean, Mark. Things do get pretty slow between new issue releases.

There are a number of informal games that I've seen used elsewhere. There are a couple variants of communal story-building, where one person starts a story and others add to it by increments. One of these I've seen is for each person to add three words to the story, but I don't care much for that. The version I liked better was for each person to add one sentence to the story.

Whatever you do, Mark, please don't ask the mods or admins to create something special for this; just start a new topic in Fun & Games. I know it'd be nice to have a special feature for this, but the staff is overburdened already, and it seems that anybody with a paying job is working overtime at it. Hell, there are board functions and services that are already falling behind; something about archiving is one I've heard, and I was just thinking the other day about how Nate used to include a little sample story when he opened the flash challenge each month. I miss those; they added inspiration, and Nate's a damn good writer.

A game could be made a 'sticky' to keep it at the top of the column; I have the ability to do that, but I'd ask first; I wouldn't do it on my own authority.

[Lester Curtis]

After reviewing the bottom of the index page, I understand further congratulations are in order for the following birthday celebrators:

Birthdays

Congratulations to: cinebessuri (26), halemetalice (25), HeappyKexia (25), Slurfgrough (24), Speplerurce (24), Scoobitycloni (24), oraneuccerm (23), phadwaytealty (23), CheiaRo (23), buckvaskObeve (23), Wattagedape (23)

Just everyday folks who spell their names the same as we do, in alphabetical, non sensical order! Trying to write rhyme for these guys, Dr. Seuss would likely slit his wrists.

I've thought of compiling a list of these usernames to offer as names to use for aliens in SF stories. I've seen some real doozies.

[Lester Curtis]

Aw, come on, Mark -- I have enough trouble with standard English . . .

[Lester Curtis]

There's a little less evil in the world this morning. My mean, ugly cat, Californiaknowshowtopartyandshedoestoo, died during the night. I found her this morning, dead on the floor, with one paw reaching out as if to smack my granddaughter Chrissy Boo one last time.
She's in a box on my dresser now.
She always adored me - slept on my elbow every night for 13 years...yes 13. Does anyone want to rent a dead cat in a box - she won't eat much (if anything) and won't poop - so you won't need a litter box. If interested, please answer quickly as I'll be planting her in my garden this afternoon. I wouldn't be surprised if her royal evilness kills all the weeds for me. She really did love me. She was a good bad cat.

Maybe she decided to follow Ray Bradbury . . .